Tag Archives: Humor

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Blood Rites

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Blood Rites

Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
I am listening to the Dresden Files because I have read all of the books over the past several years and it became one of my favorite series and Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden became one of my favorite characters. I am gearing up for the next entry in the series, which I hope will arrive soon after I finish the last book. The series is total urban fantasy without the major romance you find in some, and that is appropriate for the main character. The characters have a rich life that you get to share in as they evolve more and more before your eyes. The stories always have an element of mystery and a noir feel that you expect within this world.

Thomas Raith hires Harry to help a friend who seems to be under some type of curse which is causing problems for those around him. The Black Court, Mavra in particular has taken over a downtown location and is causing problems. There is only one of him and yet he is trying to make sure that everyone comes out alive. To top things off Karrin Murphy is having family issues and Harry must be there for her. Murphy returns the favor and is there for him when he needs her the most.

Some surprises are popped, some alliances are forged, some new characters are introduced. This is a wonderful piece of work. Cannot recommend it more highly.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Jobs are a part of life. Maybe you’ve heard of the concept. It’s called work? See, what happens is that you suffer through doing annoying and humiliating things until you get paid not enough money. Like those Japanese game shows, only without all the glory.”
― Jim Butcher, Blood Rites
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Death Masks

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Death Masks

Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

Another good entry with the introduction of characters who will become very important later in the series. We meet Butters for the first time here in a limited way but you know he will be seen again since he is a doctor, even if he is into forensics. We also meet the Denarians and Nicodemus who are some very serious bad guys.

While a guest on a talk show Harry is ambushed by an emissary of the Red Court who informs him that there is a way to end the war. He also is sought out by a priest who wants to hire him for a job that could be very dangerous. He once again finds himself fighting for his life and trying to do the right thing for everyone.

Dresden is a good guy and a good wizard who does his best at all times but never seems to get ahead. Cannot help but be impressed by this character.We know how I feel about James Marsters. Love that voice! You have to listen to truly appreciate.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“There are things you can’t walk away from. Not if you want to live with yourself afterward.”
― Jim Butcher, Death Masks
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Summer Knight

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Summer Knight

Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4)

by Jim Butcher ( Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

Once again Jim Butcher gives me another great adventure with my favorite wizard. The Dresden series just continues to exceed my expectations at every turn. Having read the book quite a while ago it is something to listen to it and find all the nuances that you may have missed the first time jump out at you. The world continues to evolve and become richer as more about the wizard council and the fairies as well as the vampires is learned.

Harry cannot seem to catch a break. He gets a call from Billy which takes him to a park where frogs seem to be raining down, he is then informed by Billy that he has set up a meeting with a potential client, he is then summoned to a meeting of the White Council, and the Reds are still out for his blood. His year could not possibly get any worse. Or could it?

James Marsters continues to bring life to Harry and his merry band of friends of foes. His narration is the major reason to listen to these books, besides the fact that the stories are amazing. Continue the story and enjoy!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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Grave Peril

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grave-peril

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
The story just gets better and better as it moves along. Though each book is basically a standalone, the story is advanced every time because we always know what has happened before. They are also always at least a year or two after. Every book introduces new characters who Harry gets to interact with and maybe become friends with. The world that they live in is our world with the only twist being that the fantastic and mystical exists, and who wouldn’t want that.

The barrier between reality and the never-never is thinning. Ghosts are coming through and causing a lot of trouble in Chicago and people still do not believe. Harry has been invited to attend Bianca’s elevation in rank within the Red Court of Vampires. While Harry did not consider going the invitation was issued while he was with Susan and she is one tenacious reporter who does not get the real danger involved. There is always more going on than meets the eye and Harry is blaming himself for a lot of things.

I loved the book the first time I read it and for the second time I listened and got even more out of it. James Marsters does the narration and he is Harry for me at this point. He does a great job not only with Harry but with every other character and brings them to life  wonderfully. I loved him as Spike on Buffy, and can hear him with some characters, and could and do listen to him for hours as he takes me away to Chicago and my favorite wizard detective. This is Urban Fantasy at its best!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Hellhounds.”
“Harry,” Michael said sternly. “You know I hate it when you swear.”
“You’re right. Sorry. Holy shit,” I breathed, “heckhounds.”
― Jim Butcher, Grave Peril
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Angry Lead Skies

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Angry Lead Skies (Garrett Files #10)

This is one of the really good ones as far as Garrett and his adventures are concerned. I always like that he has something different going on that takes place in his fictional land. The story moves pretty quickly and we get to see how he acts with women other than those he always has around. The characters are fairly well defined and fleshed out.

Garrett is awakened from a deep sleep by Playmate who comes to him and asks that he help protect an obnoxious kid named Kip Prose who is being threatened by creatures who are hard to describe. Kip is a teenager who was befriended by two strange guys who have been giving him ideas for inventions that could make someone a lot of money. Opening his door when a woman is not knocking does not ever work out for him, but neither does it when they do.

Enjoy this adventure and watch Garrett try to please everyone and still get paid.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
“The Dead Man once told me that monsters aren’t born, they’re made. That they are memorials which take years of cruelty to sculpt. And that while we should weep for the tortured child who served as raw material, we should permit no sentiment to impede us while we rid the world of the terror strewn by the finished work. It took me a while to figure out what he meant but I do understand him now.”
― Glen Cook, Angry Lead Skies
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Dead Witch Walking

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Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1)
Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1)
byKim Harrison( Author), Marguerite Gavin(Narrator)

 

This was my second reading of this book and I enjoyed it a great deal but found some things that I thought were perfect the first time not so perfect this time. The characters are well defined but still seem a little one note in their reactions sometimes. The story is still very interesting and gets you acquainted with a number of the principles in the Hollows and outside who we will see later. It is told mainly from Rachel’s view point which works, but do wish it could have branched out.

Rachel Morgan is a runner for Inderlander Security but feels that she is being under used and resents it. When an opportunity presents itself she decides that leaving her job would be the best thing to do. What she does not expect is for Jenks, a pixie, and Ivy, a living vampire, to jump ship with her. What she expects even less is to find herself under a death threat from the agency since they wanted her to quit, they just didn’t expect her to take their best runner with her. Now she must find a way to stay alive, live with a vampire who is going cold turkey off blood, and a pixie and his family.

Good start to a series that gets better and better as it goes along.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Whodunnit? Murder on Mystery Island

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Whodunnit? Murder on Mystery Island (Whodunnit #2)

I have always liked a good mystery and this was a very good one. I probably liked it even more because I managed to figure out who the killer was after the the second murder, though I could have easily been wrong. The set up is the same as the first book and works perfectly well even if you know how things are going to play out. The pace is fast and just right for what is going on. You get to know the characters just enough to give insight into the type of person they are, which helps you to decide who the murderer is. The murders themselves are pretty inventive and not your normal slasher type killings. The victims are likable for the most part with your usual annoying character thrown in for contrast.

Giles has decided that he would like to avoid the usual places a butler would work after his last experience being used by a killer. He cannot believe that the curse placed on him by Jacqueline Boussard could really follow him. Yes, it has happened twice but here on a tropical Island he should be safe along with the guests. Then he is told that a company has booked the Island for a retreat for their employees, but they will be bringing only 11 people and that seems strange.

Before Giles knows it he finds himself participating in a killing game once again and he helped to bring some staff with him. He knows what the stakes are and soon so do those who arrive thinking they are about to have an enjoyable vacation in paradise.

This does remind me of “Ten Little Indians” a murder mystery I have loved for years. We still have ten since the killer hides among his prey. You can get a few laughs, and try to figure out Whodunnit.

My rating: 4 of 5 killer stars
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Faded Steel Heat

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Faded Steel Heat: A Garrett (Garrett Files, #9)

Faded Steel Heat (Garrett Files #9)

I have always liked Garrett because he reminds me so much of the noir detectives of the 40’s who were tough guys who had a thing for the ladies but also had a soft spot that they had to hide. That is totally the world Garrett lives in, his just also happens to have ogres and elves and dwarves and trolls just to name a few of the nonhuman denizens who live there too. Sometimes the stories are exciting with plenty of action and sometimes they are like this one with a plot you have to follow closely to keep the characters straight.

Things are going downhill in Tunfaire with the Call still on their mission to get all the non-humans out of town by any means necessary. The problem for Garrett is that they seem to want to drag him into the middle of the mess and he would prefer not to have to get involved. When he gets a visit from Tinnie, Alyx, and Nicks asking him to go to work for Max Weider, whose brewery he is on retainer to, has been targeted for ‘protection money’ by men claiming to be from the Call, he has no choice but to get involved. If they are moving into the rackets to fund their racist agenda he wants to find out and stop them.

There are always so many players when it comes to these stories that if you are new to them you can get lost. The stories while not always super exciting are always interesting and make you think because they do mirror our world and what is or has happened in it. I am kind of over the rioting and beating of non-humans though and am ready to move on to something more interesting. Still well worth the time.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
“Relway mused, “Now that it’s happened I’m not so sure I’m happy with the outcome. Spared their racial theories The Call would’ve been good for TunFaire.” He would appreciate their interest in law and order and proper behavior. “Here’s a challenge you still need to meet. Glory Mooncalled. He’s weak now but he’s still out there somewhere. If you don’t get him now he’ll try to put something back together someday. He can’t help himself.” “It’s still great day for TunFaire, Garrett. One of pure triumph.” I don’t know if he meant that or was being sarcastic. You never quite know anything with Relway. And he wants it that way. “I liked the way you put it, Garrett. Faded steel heat.” I’d mentioned that to him the night he’d discovered the tanks in the old Lamp brewery. “But the war goes on.” “The war never ends. Tell you what. Send me a note when you do decide to roast that pigeon. I’ve got dibs on a drumstick.”
― Glen Cook, Faded Steel HeatGlen Cook
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A Celtic Witch

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A Celtic Witch (A Modern Witch #6)

This book had everything I have come to expect from Debora Geary and the witching community that she has created. The characters are always interesting and could step right off the page fully realized and start living their lives. The language is never to complicated but makes you feel at ease as you read. The landscapes are so vivid that you can see yourself walking the roads or sitting in someone’s kitchen or parlor.

Cassidy ‘Cassie’ Farrel is a famous Irish (Celtic) fiddle player who has taken three weeks to recharge and find her center before she starts her next set of concert tours. She is told about Fisher’s Cove (by the rocks, as in earth) and decides to take some time in the quiet fishing village not knowing that a large number of the inhabitants are witches. Marcus Buchanan has finally settled into his role as a father to Morgan and a part of the community. He has no desire to share Morgan, any more than he already does, and Cassie makes that very hard for him.

I really loved getting to spend more time in Nova Scotia as opposed to California, though we still have a visit from the Walker clan no matter where things are happening. This is a fun, light, romantic story that will enchant anyone. Enjoy this and the entire series.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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A Different Witch

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A Different Witch (A Modern Witch #5)

This is a another good entry of witch central with a group of witches who have a community that tries to bring other witches in who may not have anyone to take care of them. The characters are all well defined and complete as individuals so they make you feel like you know them. The dialogue is perfect for the characters and helps to keep you involved in their lives and world.

Almost two years ago Jamie went to Chicago to evaluate Lauren when she was fetched by their program that identifies witches. He and Lauren ended up crashing a coven meeting and totally destroying what they had by telling them they were doing it wrong. While he left and forgot about what he had done, Beth Lander, the leader of the coven could not forget and felt abandoned after his show of arrogance. While thinking about Jamie and preparing to go online she is accidentally teleported to Witch Central with no warning. Things do not get much better after that. This is a very different witch than any of them have ever dealt with and it is going to bring some bad feeling to light.

This is basically a light urban fantasy with plenty of humor, a touch of romance, and some characters that are unforgettable. If you want something that can be enjoyed without a lot of thought or fuss then this is perfect. I recommend this series to everyone!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars